MAIC aquarium keepers - Page 2

skatin707 · 02-26-2013, 11:48 AM

I'm careful with tank mates, but they are all very friendly and work together.

The fire eel scares shrimp out of narrow hiding places so the ray can eat them, I swear I'm not kidding. The 3 polypterus (soon to be 6!!) are a similar type of fish and go incredibly well together.

All in all, the ray is an incredible addition to my tank and I hope to get another one today or Thursday

I'm having a tough time sexing my current ray, but I'm somewhat positive its a female. I wonder if NASIOC would let me sell the pups in MAIC classifieds

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

lilblue619 · 02-26-2013, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skatin707

I'm careful with tank mates, but they are all very friendly and work together.

The fire eel scares shrimp out of narrow hiding places so the ray can eat them, I swear I'm not kidding. The 3 polypterus (soon to be 6!!) are a similar type of fish and go incredibly well together.

All in all, the ray is an incredible addition to my tank and I hope to get another one today or Thursday

I'm having a tough time sexing my current ray, but I'm somewhat positive its a female. I wonder if NASIOC would let me sell the pups in MAIC classifieds

Well I've been doing some homework on rays and I think I'm going to try one out. Id buy one from you. I also read that the males have claspers near the pelvic fin. I gotta find someone that wants my convicts first tho. I might try trading for one or at least get one a lil cheaper at the house of tropicals. How much do they usually cost?

skatin707 · 02-26-2013, 12:30 PM

Yeah, my guy has the claspers. It was hard to tell with him moving around so much.

Male reticulated rays usually cost $50, females are usually 10% more than males. Motoros are around $100-$150 and other breeds go into the thousands.

If you can't get one there, let me know. My LFS is very good about ordering stuff for me and I can pick it up for you.

Hell, they got 6 blue botias for me in 2 days

If you are going to do a ray, check out senegalus polypterus. Those are my second favorite fish behind rays and they go very well with rays. All 3 of mine hand feed.

lilblue619 · 02-26-2013, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skatin707

Yeah, my guy has the claspers. It was hard to tell with him moving around so much.

Male reticulated rays usually cost $50, females are usually 10% more than males. Motoros are around $100-$150 and other breeds go into the thousands.

If you can't get one there, let me know. My LFS is very good about ordering stuff for me and I can pick it up for you.

Hell, they got 6 blue botias for me in 2 days

If you are going to do a ray, check out senegalus polypterus. Those are my second favorite fish behind rays and they go very well with rays. All 3 of mine hand feed.

OK I will let you know. And I'll check them out. Im gonna go for a reticulated one. Its in my price range lol. Anyone want some convicts?

senegalus polypterus are pretty awesome looking almost like a eel but cooler.

guygettnby · 02-26-2013, 01:24 PM

there are not too many fish stores left in maryland that actually deal with saltwater live stock. house of tropicals is one of them, but i hardely ever buy from there anymore unless it is something i really need. they are way over priced, tanks are not healthy for the most part, corals look like crap, most the people dont really know anything and did i say way over priced? the store has gone down hill alot in the last few years. they lost the 1 person who actually knew anything and took care of the place.

if you need any kind of equipment go online and get it. you want livestock, look for it locally from another private party first. get onto different fish forums.

currently i have a 72g bow front tank. it is a full reef tank and still growing.

guygettnby · 02-26-2013, 01:32 PM

some old pictures. i havent uploaded any new pictures in along time. most of these are pretty old, some when i very first setup the new tank. alot has changed in the new tank since then. i will see if i can get some new pictures uploaded.

lilblue619 · 02-26-2013, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guygettnby

there are not too many fish stores left in maryland that actually deal with saltwater live stock. house of tropicals is one of them, but i hardely ever buy from there anymore unless it is something i really need. they are way over priced, tanks are not healthy for the most part, corals look like crap, most the people dont really know anything and did i say way over priced? the store has gone down hill alot in the last few years. they lost the 1 person who actually knew anything and took care of the place.

if you need any kind of equipment go online and get it. you want livestock, look for it locally from another private party first. get onto different fish forums.

currently i have a 72g bow front tank. it is a full reef tank and still growing.

Yeah I've noticed that but like you said MD doesn't have many. Have you been to the aquarium center off liberty rd?

skatin707 · 02-26-2013, 02:44 PM

Your tank looks great!! I'm very jealous, I'm still setting my 90g saltwater up right now, it's a long, arduous process waiting for it to be ready for fish.

I went in to order my ray and saw one of the most beautiful rays in my life. I would have bought it if my salt tank was bigger.

Also, my ray hunting after I brought more shrimp home today.

lilblue619 · 02-26-2013, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skatin707

Your tank looks great!! I'm very jealous, I'm still setting my 90g saltwater up right now, it's a long, arduous process waiting for it to be ready for fish.

I went in to order my ray and saw one of the most beautiful rays in my life. I would have bought it if my salt tank was bigger.

Also, my ray hunting after I brought more shrimp home today.

Do you have sand in your ray tank also??

skatin707 · 02-26-2013, 03:06 PM

That's not his tank, he's just in there while I was doing some stuff in his tank. His substrate is just sand, that's smoothed quartz. It's actually what the breeder uses.

I know, I was skeptical too. He likes it though.

lilblue619 · 02-26-2013, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skatin707

That's not his tank, he's just in there while I was doing some stuff in his tank. His substrate is just sand, that's smoothed quartz. It's actually what the breeder uses.

I know, I was skeptical too. He likes it though.

gotcha. I'm sure he can't wait to get in the big tank

skatin707 · 02-26-2013, 03:32 PM

I can't wait either. It's at 77F right now, at 79 he goes in.

I wanted to acclimate both rays at the same time, but I'm impatient!

Edit: Had a dip in temperature in his temp tank that matched the big tank. I did a bigger than normal water changeout and put him (the ray) in the big tank. He was cautious at first, but there are little foot prints all over the place from his pelvic fins. It's hilarious.

silverF4turbo · 02-26-2013, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilblue619

Yeah I've noticed that but like you said MD doesn't have many. Have you been to the aquarium center off liberty rd?

Congressional Aquarium in rockville... been there a few times for supplies/tank stuff and were helpful (i.e. listening to what I needed, and making recommendations other than buy the priciest thing, even if that's what I was dead set on doing

). You have to ask for help though.

skatin707 · 02-26-2013, 08:12 PM

Honestly, best aquarium store I've been to so far is my local store. They have a great selection of rare and exotic fish and they are all extremely healthy. It's called the fish bowl and its in Camden, DE.

lilblue619 · 02-26-2013, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skatin707

I can't wait either. It's at 77F right now, at 79 he goes in.

I wanted to acclimate both rays at the same time, but I'm impatient!

Edit: Had a dip in temperature in his temp tank that matched the big tank. I did a bigger than normal water changeout and put him (the ray) in the big tank. He was cautious at first, but there are little foot prints all over the place from his pelvic fins. It's hilarious.

That's awesome. Any pics?

skatin707 · 02-26-2013, 08:27 PM

Him hiding immediately after I pull my phone out.

His "foot prints" (dimples in the sand, it was smooth before I put him in)

A wary bichir in the distance

Needs more plants, better lights, and a backing.

jozeppi · 02-26-2013, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilblue619

Yeah I've noticed that but like you said MD doesn't have many. Have you been to the aquarium center off liberty rd?

They closed down a couple of month ago that's where I would go to get my things but a new place just opened in timonium called CTE Aquatics not to bad but it does seen a little pricey.

jozeppi · 02-26-2013, 08:32 PM

Man those rays are beautiful

lilblue619 · 02-26-2013, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skatin707

Him hiding immediately after I pull my phone out.

His "foot prints" (dimples in the sand, it was smooth before I put him in)

A wary bichir in the distance

Needs more plants, better lights, and a backing.

He's probably loving that sand. Im excited to get one. I've had a lot of fish but never a ray and I feel like I'm going to like it a lot. How many times a day do you feed him cause I've read they love to eat. My father told me he had a clear tube that he dropped feeders in and his rays would wait at the bottom.

lilblue619 · 02-26-2013, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jozeppi

They closed down a couple of month ago that's where I would go to get my things but a new place just opened in timonium called CTE Aquatics not to bad but it does seen a little pricey.

Wow I haven't been there for awhile. I also know of exotic aquatics in Parkville.

skatin707 · 02-26-2013, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jozeppi

Man those rays are beautiful

****ing amazing creatures, and absolutely brilliant too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilblue619

He's probably loving that sand. Im excited to get one. I've had a lot of fish but never a ray and I feel like I'm going to like it a lot. How many times a day do you feed him cause I've read they love to eat. My father told me he had a clear tube that he dropped feeders in and his rays would wait at the bottom.

Through my research I've found that feeders are bad. They have a growth inhibitor and have nearly no dietary value. I add about 20 ghost shrimp every 4 days. He hunts at night and always looks forward to me adding new shrimp. Soon I will wean him to pieces of larger fish by hand.

My female should be here Thursday, I can't ****ing wait!!

jozeppi · 02-26-2013, 08:40 PM

Lol...I heard they shut down as well not positive but I would call before you go

lilblue619 · 02-26-2013, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jozeppi

Lol...I heard they shut down as well not positive but I would call before you go

Well dam I'm striking out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by skatin707

****ing amazing creatures, and absolutely brilliant too.

Through my research I've found that feeders are bad. They have a growth inhibitor and have nearly no dietary value. I add about 20 ghost shrimp every 4 days. He hunts at night and always looks forward to me adding new shrimp. Soon I will wean him to pieces of larger fish by hand.

My female should be here Thursday, I can't ****ing wait!!

Oh well thanks for letting me know about the feeders. That's cool that you can put all of them in there and he doesn't eat them as soon as he can. I had a peacock bass that would demolish feeders I couldn't put them all in at once or else he would have 2-3 hanging from his mouth.

lilblue619 · 02-26-2013, 08:54 PM

And if you do get them to have pups I would buy one from you.

skatin707 · 02-26-2013, 08:55 PM

Yeah, shrimp are part of his natural diet. He will actually eat my lobster when he gets big enough, and I know he wants to try now.

I'll let you guys know if and when they do have pups. I really recommend getting one my from my local store in the mean time though. My guy is probably 4 months from sexual maturity and his mate probably will be too.

02-26-2013, 03:32 PM	#37
skatin707 Scooby Specialist Member#: 251552 Join Date: Jul 2010 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Delaware Vehicle: 06 STI SGM	I can't wait either. It's at 77F right now, at 79 he goes in. I wanted to acclimate both rays at the same time, but I'm impatient! Edit: Had a dip in temperature in his temp tank that matched the big tank. I did a bigger than normal water changeout and put him (the ray) in the big tank. He was cautious at first, but there are little foot prints all over the place from his pelvic fins. It's hilarious. Last edited by skatin707; 02-26-2013 at 06:30 PM.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

02-26-2013, 11:48 AM	#26
skatin707 Scooby Specialist Member#: 251552 Join Date: Jul 2010 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Delaware Vehicle: 06 STI SGM	I'm careful with tank mates, but they are all very friendly and work together. The fire eel scares shrimp out of narrow hiding places so the ray can eat them, I swear I'm not kidding. The 3 polypterus (soon to be 6!!) are a similar type of fish and go incredibly well together. All in all, the ray is an incredible addition to my tank and I hope to get another one today or Thursday I'm having a tough time sexing my current ray, but I'm somewhat positive its a female. I wonder if NASIOC would let me sell the pups in MAIC classifieds * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

02-26-2013, 12:30 PM	#28
skatin707 Scooby Specialist Member#: 251552 Join Date: Jul 2010 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Delaware Vehicle: 06 STI SGM	Yeah, my guy has the claspers. It was hard to tell with him moving around so much. Male reticulated rays usually cost $50, females are usually 10% more than males. Motoros are around $100-$150 and other breeds go into the thousands. If you can't get one there, let me know. My LFS is very good about ordering stuff for me and I can pick it up for you. Hell, they got 6 blue botias for me in 2 days If you are going to do a ray, check out senegalus polypterus. Those are my second favorite fish behind rays and they go very well with rays. All 3 of mine hand feed.

02-26-2013, 01:24 PM	#30
guygettnby Scooby Specialist Member#: 298231 Join Date: Oct 2011 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: maryland Vehicle: 2011 Subaru WRX WRB	there are not too many fish stores left in maryland that actually deal with saltwater live stock. house of tropicals is one of them, but i hardely ever buy from there anymore unless it is something i really need. they are way over priced, tanks are not healthy for the most part, corals look like crap, most the people dont really know anything and did i say way over priced? the store has gone down hill alot in the last few years. they lost the 1 person who actually knew anything and took care of the place. if you need any kind of equipment go online and get it. you want livestock, look for it locally from another private party first. get onto different fish forums. currently i have a 72g bow front tank. it is a full reef tank and still growing.

02-26-2013, 01:32 PM	#31
guygettnby Scooby Specialist Member#: 298231 Join Date: Oct 2011 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: maryland Vehicle: 2011 Subaru WRX WRB	some old pictures. i havent uploaded any new pictures in along time. most of these are pretty old, some when i very first setup the new tank. alot has changed in the new tank since then. i will see if i can get some new pictures uploaded.

02-26-2013, 02:44 PM	#33
skatin707 Scooby Specialist Member#: 251552 Join Date: Jul 2010 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Delaware Vehicle: 06 STI SGM	Your tank looks great!! I'm very jealous, I'm still setting my 90g saltwater up right now, it's a long, arduous process waiting for it to be ready for fish. I went in to order my ray and saw one of the most beautiful rays in my life. I would have bought it if my salt tank was bigger. Also, my ray hunting after I brought more shrimp home today.

02-26-2013, 03:06 PM	#35
skatin707 Scooby Specialist Member#: 251552 Join Date: Jul 2010 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Delaware Vehicle: 06 STI SGM	That's not his tank, he's just in there while I was doing some stuff in his tank. His substrate is just sand, that's smoothed quartz. It's actually what the breeder uses. I know, I was skeptical too. He likes it though.

02-26-2013, 08:12 PM	#39
skatin707 Scooby Specialist Member#: 251552 Join Date: Jul 2010 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Delaware Vehicle: 06 STI SGM	Honestly, best aquarium store I've been to so far is my local store. They have a great selection of rare and exotic fish and they are all extremely healthy. It's called the fish bowl and its in Camden, DE.

02-26-2013, 08:27 PM	#41
skatin707 Scooby Specialist Member#: 251552 Join Date: Jul 2010 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Delaware Vehicle: 06 STI SGM	Him hiding immediately after I pull my phone out. His "foot prints" (dimples in the sand, it was smooth before I put him in) A wary bichir in the distance Needs more plants, better lights, and a backing.

02-26-2013, 08:32 PM	#43
jozeppi Scooby Specialist Member#: 247473 Join Date: May 2010 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: westminster Md Vehicle: 2007 wrx wrb	Man those rays are beautiful

02-26-2013, 08:40 PM	#47
jozeppi Scooby Specialist Member#: 247473 Join Date: May 2010 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: westminster Md Vehicle: 2007 wrx wrb	Lol...I heard they shut down as well not positive but I would call before you go

02-26-2013, 08:54 PM	#49
lilblue619 NASIOC Supporter Member#: 288292 Join Date: Jul 2011 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: arbutus md Vehicle: 2004 sti wrb. the blue one.	And if you do get them to have pups I would buy one from you.

02-26-2013, 08:55 PM	#50
skatin707 Scooby Specialist Member#: 251552 Join Date: Jul 2010 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Delaware Vehicle: 06 STI SGM	Yeah, shrimp are part of his natural diet. He will actually eat my lobster when he gets big enough, and I know he wants to try now. I'll let you guys know if and when they do have pups. I really recommend getting one my from my local store in the mean time though. My guy is probably 4 months from sexual maturity and his mate probably will be too.